Flashback Friday: When BTS V Aka Kim Taehyung Lit Up The Grammys With His Smoking Controversy | Watch

BTS boasts a vast global fan base and often finds themselves in the spotlight for various reasons. However, in 2022 their viral images had sparked a divided response among netizens. The pictures depicted one of the band members, Kim Taehyung, also known as V, smoking outside the venue of the 2022 Grammys. V, wearing a purple shirt and brown pants, was seen smoking along with another unidentified person. The image had elicited a range of reactions from netizens.

There was a range of opinions regarding the matter, as some were taken aback by V being seen smoking, while others considered it to be a trivial matter. One Twitter user shared, "Taehyung smoking is none of our business. He never intended for us to see it, and he is an adult. Yes, it's not healthy, but it's his personal choice. I don't care if you find smoking 'unattractive.' His job is not to be attractive to everyone."

Also read: Tuesday Trivia: BTS V Aka Kim Taehyung Once Revealed His Retirement Plan For A Blissful Life With Future Wife

Another remarked, "This pic of Taehyung smoking is more iconic that the Oscars slap." A third added, "Y'all so quick to defend Taehyung with this. I wonder if it's the same if Jimin was in his place? Pretty sure you'd condemn him and make him leave the group. Yes, they're adults. But smoking destroys your pipes. He's a singer ffs."

not wanting taehyung to smoke cause you’re genuinely worried for his health is different from hating on him for smoking…..

— inderpreet (@jamaisvuhobi) April 4, 2022

i never expected taehyung to smoke…i mean it’s his life and all but as someone who’s father is a chronic smoker, learning abt him smoking is just…tragic

— bee is going to see eiro (@mtkgoes_) April 5, 2022

In addition to this, BTS got entangled in another controversy as fans, known as ARMYs, trended 'apologise to BTS' on Twitter. This comes after an Australian current affairs show made a joke about BTS member Kim 'V' Tae-hyung, which fans perceived as "racist."

According to a report by the Daily Mail, the controversial footage was featured in a Grammy recap segment aired by the channel. The edited montage was intended to be a joke about BTS's recent experience with Covid-19.

However, the edit falsely implied that V was still contagious and spreading the disease when he attended the Las Vegas show. One of the hosts commented, "K-pop sensation BTS dropped in, dismissing their very recent battle with Covid-19," while the footage of V dancing to Justin Bieber's performance of 'Peaches' was shown.

The ARMYs expressed their outrage, not only because the edited footage depicted V "coughing up" Covid-19 virus-like particles, but also because several artists who have recently contracted and recovered from the infection did not face similar targeting in other videos. Following the backlash, the Australian channel deleted the tweet associated with the controversial footage.